Speaking to reporters after a regular meeting of the government-appointed committee at the Public Administration Building in Rua do Campo, Tong, a judge by profession, said his committee had received a number of complaints related to “four or five” electoral groups advertising on Facebook.

Citing the Legislative Assembly Election Law, Tong said candidates were not allowed to carry out any commercial advertising campaign activities.

According to Tong, the committee has told the groups involved to stop “boosting” their posts and remove their paid advertisements from Facebook.

According to the law, any media organisation or advertising company which publishes political advertisements after the government has gazetted the date of the election faces a fine from MOP 5,000 to 50,000.

Asked by a reporter if his committee will only tell the candidates not to advertise on Facebook, or whether they will be penalised, Tong merely said it was what the law required.